Changes

Both spray marking and claw marking also include an element of [[visual display]].  

Both spray marking and claw marking also include an element of [[visual display]].  

During spray marking, the cat will sniff the site to be marked, using a [[Flehmen behaviour]] to collect more of the pheromone signal. Then it will back up to the site to be sprayed, with its tail raised.  During the act of spraying the cat’s tail twitches and moves, the cat has a glazed look in its eye and it will often make treading movements with its hind feet. This pattern is distinct from urination which is usually on horizontal surfaces (unless the cat has urinary tract disease) and is not accompanied by tail movements or treading.  

During spray marking, the cat will sniff the site to be marked, using a [[Flehmen behaviour]] to collect more of the pheromone signal. Then it will back up to the site to be sprayed, with its tail raised.  During the act of spraying the cat’s tail twitches and moves, the cat has a glazed look in its eye and it will often make treading movements with its hind feet. This pattern is distinct from urination which is usually on horizontal surfaces (unless the cat has urinary tract disease) and is not accompanied by tail movements or treading.

 

 

Urine spray marks provide a signal between cats that a particular area is likely to be in use by different individuals at certain times of day. The degradation of a urine mark over time provides other cats with an indication of when the depositor was last in that location. With regular re-marking, this provides cats with a geographical and temporal map that enables them to pass through an area without encountering one another.

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